More Historic Performances: Day 3 at Under Armour Nationals

Florida Athletes Deliver More Historic Performances

on Day 3 at Under Armour Nationals

Florida athletes capped off the final day of the Under Armor Track & Field Nationals with more record-setting middle school and nationally ranked elite high school performances to close out the Under Armor Track & Field Nationals with a memorable final day. 

The biggest headline came from seventh-grader Bobbie Gibbs, who produced one of the fastest middle school 200-meter performances in U.S. history. Competing in the Boys Middle School 200-meter dash, Gibbs blazed to victory in 21.69, establishing himself as the No. 1 seventh-grader in Florida history, the No. 1 seventh-grader in U.S. history, and the No. 2 Florida middle school performer all-time. His mark also ranks No. 5 all-time among U.S. middle school athletes.

In the field events, Ji'Aire Stephens of Space Coast Striders had a winning leap of 22 feet, 11¼ inches (6.99m) in the Boys Middle School Long Jump. The eighth-grader moved to No. 1 in Florida middle school history and currently ranks No. 6 nationally among middle school performers.

Another elite middle school performer was Selah Gayle, who placed second in the Girls Championship 400-meter hurdles. The eighth-grader clocked 1:02.69, a performance that places her at No. 6 all-time among U.S. middle school athletes in the event.

Florida's throwers were equally impressive. Seventh-grader Kai Brooks of Maximum Effort Throwing Academy claimed the Girls Middle School Discus title with a throw of 119 feet, 10 inches (36.54m).

The Girls Championship Javelin provided one of the closest finishes of the meet. Senior Olivia Ennis edged junior Shelby Plasier by a single inch, winning with a throw of 154 feet, 10 inches (47.20m) while Plasier finished runner-up at 154 feet, 9 inches (47.17m).

In the Girls Championship Shot Put, J'Nia Simpson of Trailblazers Youth Athletic added another national title to her outstanding weekend. Simpson won with a throw of 47 feet, 5¾ inches (14.47m) after capturing the Girls Championship Discus crown on Saturday with a winning mark of 170 feet, 9 inches (52.06m).

Florida also secured victories in both championship triple jumps. Junior Maxwell Garcon of Soldier City launched himself to a winning mark of 50 feet, 10 inches (15.49m) in the Boys Championship Triple Jump, moving into the No. 1 spot in Florida this season.

On the girls' side, senior Jayce Miller of Tampa Xpress Track Club claimed the Girls Championship Triple Jump title with a leap of 40 feet, 9 inches (12.42m).